I'd give Stouffers a shot. You can buy individual size to see if you like it, then move up to party size if you do.

My vote is for a Stouffers meal. I don't know if they make a vegetarian variety or not. But they have a variety of meals to
choose. With a nice tossed salad it would work. My large extended family did use Stouffers meals when we gathered for the evening meal at the beach. Mary

My vote is for a Stouffers meal. I don't know if they make a vegetarian variety or not. But they have a variety of meals to
choose. With a nice tossed salad it would work. My large extended family did use Stouffers meals when we gathered for the evening meal at the beach. Mary

My vote is for Michael Angelo's brand. When I ate or served it to a large group, we found it to be overall better than Stouffers. That goes back about 4 years or more, so I would try one out in a small size first, just to be sure it is still good quality. In Southern Calif, it was found at Ralph's or Smart & Final.
Actually, it was their eggplant Parmesan that used to rock my world. Now I'm gluten free and garlic/onion free so its no longer an option. I miss it!

Whichever brand you get, I would plan to put extra grated cheese on top, they never seem to have enough on those frozen entrees.

I like Michael Angelo's eggplant parm too, despite the fact I really dislike buying frozen foods! The taste is excellent, and additional cheese would be good. We use it about once a month. I've never tried their lasagne.

Have fun!

I've not had Michael Angelo's, but I can vouch for pretty doggone decent Stouffer's. Sounds like you can't go wrong. I will tell you, we live where they have Kroger, and even it is pretty good. It's probably something you're going to do ok with no matter which brand.

I've bought frozen lasagna from time to time, but I usually go for what's on sale, and is vegetarian. One thing that seems to be consistent, though, is that the number of servings stated on the box is high. I'd figure that if it says family size, it'll serve 3, maybe 4 adults at best, depending on what else is on the menu.

Sally

Stouffers is really good frozen lasagna, everyone likes it. My family likes the "original" version with meat, but we use the 4 cheese variety more now since my SIL is a vegetarian.

I ALWAYS keep some in the freezer, usually several sizes.

Depending on where you live in the Midwest, you may not find Michael Angelo's, I've never even heard of it.

I've never purchased or eaten frozen lasagna but my son in law likes the Stouffer's. He heats them up in the microwave for a lunch when he's at work or when he's working in the evening. He always has two, one is never enough, but he's a mechanic with his own garage, so his hours are sometimes long and the work is physically demanding.

Also, the Midwest is full of something called Gordon Food Service, they're a warehouse type thing that you don't need to be a member to shop at. They provide food to schools, restaurants, etc. Elery says he's gotten lasagna there and it's "OK". You do have to buy large pans of it, though.

Annie

Are you driving? Can you not buy the lasagna at Costco and put it in a cooler? That's what we do when we go on golfing trips and don't want to cook the night of arrival.

Thanks everyone. Michael Angelo's is what I've gotten at Costco, I think, and before that they had a brand called Michelina's (which may be the same stuff with a name change). Great idea to try a smaller size myself. I just wasn't sure what brands besides Stouffer's are available in Central Illinois.

Annie, I'll check out Gordon's and see if there is one in Bloomington or Springfield, my final destination.

Georgys mom, I'm in the PNW, so I will be flying into Bloomington IL and will rent a car, but won't have a cooler and have been told the nearest Costco is 2.5 hours away, so that's not an option.

Sounds more like a fly-in event? Having just had relatives fly to my vacation home i would say everyone will be starving! Lasagna is a good first night fill-up and sound sleep.
I might call the groceries or call around to see if a local smaller specialty italian deli in the area does event and sheet goods. Catering type thing for pick-up. Often cheaper or similar than store freezer section. (wishful thinking maybe)
Maybe call the grocery anyway to check brand and how much stock they have. It is such a simple thing and we tried them years ago during our courting and newlywed years. I remember liking the Celantano brand. They have a meat and vegetarian i believe.

There is a Costco in Peoria but I see where if your final destination is Springfield then that can be a little over 2 hours. I'm familiar with Schnucks in both Peoria and Springfield. Both stores are nice and will have frozen lasagna (Stouffer's, etc.). Both locations have dinners prepared for take out. You could call them ahead of time and have lasagna prepared that you could pick-up.

There is an Italian place that opened up in Springfield in 2012. I have not been there but they seem to get good reviews. They sell homemade lasagna by the 1/2 pans frozen.

http://www.boccardisitalianimports.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: boccardisitalian

Wow, thanks Dixiedog, that looks PERFECT for us! I'll call them.

And keep in mind that the Stouffer,s needs to be baked, maybe 1, 1.5 hours. The local one appears ready to eat. If the weather is hot, do you want to put the oven on for that length of time, andc heat up the house?

Stouffers is 10 to $14 for a large pan of at least nine servings, at Gordon Food Service, if there is a GFS in your destination. Stouffers is decent,just needs extra cheese.

Westsider, good to consider but it will be mid-Oct in Springfield, so I'm hoping the oven heat won't be a problem? Never been there, so am not sure. It's a retreat center with a kitchen available, so I don't think it's a small enclosed space. Either way, we will need to bake it and serve at dinner time, then heat up individual portions in the micro as the later arrivals show up. I'll look for a Gordon's in the area, too. Stouffers is definitely more affordable.